How can Beam AI help with Drywall Takeoffs?

How much time do you spend on drywall takeoffs?

Drywall takeoffs are one of the most critical steps in the bidding process. They lay the foundation for accurate estimates that not only win bids but also ensure project profitability. However, calculating the diverse drywall materials and their quantities is no simple task.

Traditional on-screen takeoff tools might get the job done, but they’re time-consuming and repetitive. Manually measuring and calculating quantities eats up valuable time - time that could be better spent refining bids, planning projects, or focusing on strategic activities.

That’s where Beam AI comes in. With our AI-based takeoff software, you can automate the entire drywall takeoff process, saving 90% of the time previously spent on manual takeoffs. Over 150 contractors are already leveraging Beam AI to transform their workflows, reclaim time, and bid on more projects.

Curious about how Beam AI simplifies drywall takeoffs?

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the key features of Beam AI, designed specifically to simplify drywall takeoffs and improve your bidding process. Let’s get started!

What Makes Drywall Takeoff Challenging? 

To win a bid, you need an accurate drywall takeoff that outlines the materials and quantities required for the project. When takeoffs go wrong, so do your project timeline and budget. So, what makes this process so tricky? Let’s break it down.

• Project-Specific Needs:  Every drywall project is different. It’s not just about picking a board and calling it a day. Moisture-resistant drywall for bathrooms, soundproof boards for offices, and fire-rated panels for safety - each project demands specific materials for different areas.
  
  
• Associated Materials: Drywall installations aren’t just about the boards. You also need to account for related materials like joint compounds, screws, corner beads, and backing materials. Missing these in your takeoff can lead to incomplete estimates and unexpected costs during construction.
  
  
• Layered Installations: Some projects call for multiple drywall layers to meet soundproofing or fire-rating standards. For example, a wall might need two layers of Type X drywall to achieve the required fire resistance. Forgetting to account for these additional layers can result in underestimated material quantities and delays during execution.
  

Without the right tools, even a small mistake in your takeoff can affect your bids and impact your bottom line. The solution? Focus your energy on reviewing AI-generated takeoffs and refining your estimates instead of spending hours creating them manually. 

How Beam AI Simplifies Drywall Takeoffs

1. Completely Automated Takeoffs in 3 Simple Steps

How many hours do you spend clicking, dragging, and measuring drywall dimensions manually? Now imagine using that time to focus on refining bids, connecting with clients, or planning your next project. Beam AI makes it possible with AI automated takeoffs in just three steps: 

• Step 1: Upload Your Plans : Upload your PDF drawings or plansets directly into Beam AI.
  
• Step 2: Define Your Scope of Work: Specify what you need, like “Take off all walls and ceilings  from sheets A1 to A5.” The AI understands your requirements and gets to work immediately.
  
• Step 3: Receive Accurate Quantities: Beam AI gives detailed quantities validated by experienced estimators to ensure 99+% accuracy. 

2. Process Multiple Takeoffs Simultaneously

Tight bidding schedules often force drywall contractors to let go of potential opportunities because there’s not enough bandwidth to bid on every project. Beam AI eliminates this bottleneck by enabling you to handle multiple takeoffs in parallel. Here’s how it works: 

• Upload plans for two or more projects simultaneously.
• Monitor the progress of each takeoff in real time.
• Prioritize urgent bids without delaying others.

This feature ensures you never miss an opportunity due to time constraints, helping you maximize revenue potential.

3. Centralized Takeoff Library

How often have you wasted time searching through scattered files, emails, or shared drives for past takeoffs?

With Beam AI’s Takeoff Library, the solution is simple: Every completed takeoff is stored securely in a centralized hub, ensuring easy access whenever you need it.

Working on a project similar to a past one? Beam AI lets you pull up previous takeoffs, adjust for the new scope, and save hours that would have been spent starting from scratch.

By standardizing how you manage takeoffs, Beam AI ensures your bids remain accurate and competitive while eliminating the chaos of unorganized data.

4. Exporting Options for Seamless Collaboration

Drywall projects are a team effort, involving everyone from estimators and project managers to clients and subcontractors. Miscommunication at any stage can lead to delays, mistakes, and added costs. That’s why having a seamless way to share takeoff data is essential.

Beam AI simplifies collaboration by offering flexible export options that suit your workflow and make data sharing effortless. 

• Custom Excel Spreadsheets: Generate detailed quantities for materials in a well-organized Excel format. These sheets are ready for use in your estimating process, helping you create bids faster.
  
• Branded PDF Reports: Impress clients with clear, professional reports. Beam AI overlays annotations directly on your plans, making it easy to show exactly where quantities are calculated while highlighting your attention to detail.
  
• Shareable links: Collaborate in real-time by sharing interactive links. Stakeholders can zoom in on specific areas, view quantities, and leave feedback—all without additional software.
  
• Quick Snapshots: Need to highlight a specific area? Capture screenshots to share targeted visuals during discussions or for quick reference.

5. Simplified Addendum Handling

Last-minute changes to project plans and addendums are one of the most tricky parts of the project. Manually revisiting takeoffs every time plans are updated is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors. Beam AI’s resubmit takeoff feature simplifies this process:

• Automatic Change Detection: Simply upload the updated plans, and Beam AI instantly highlights the differences—no need to start from scratch. You can quickly pinpoint what’s new or altered, saving hours of manual review.
  
• Detailed Change Reports: Get side-by-side Excel comparisons of the original and updated quantities. This ensures no revisions slip through the cracks, keeping your takeoffs accurate and your bids reliable.
  
• Seamless Revision: Need to incorporate a new design requirement or adjust quantities? Beam AI integrates changes into the existing takeoff without disrupting your workflow. For example, if a new ceiling design demands extra drywall, Beam AI updates the takeoff seamlessly.

6. Advanced Editing Tools

Design revisions, missed details, or adjustments to material allocations can pop up at any time, making flexibility essential. That’s where Beam AI’s advanced editing tools come in: 

• Edit and Adjust:  Need to split a section, tweak dimensions, or create openings for doors and windows? Beam AI lets you make precise edits directly in your takeoffs, saving time and reducing errors.
  
• Add Missing Elements: Missed a few corner beads or access panels? No problem. Use the intuitive tools to add any overlooked elements without needing to redo the entire takeoff.
  
• Reclassify Items: Reassign materials to different zones or categories as project requirements evolve.

The Bottom Line 

Drywall takeoffs are at the foundation of any successful bid - but they don’t have to be time-consuming or stressful. With Beam AI, you can move past repetitive manual tasks and embrace a smarter, more efficient way of working.

From automating your takeoff process to handling last-minute design changes and managing multiple projects simultaneously, Beam AI equips you with the technology to stay ahead of tight deadlines and deliver results for your clients.

Join over 150 contractors who have already unlocked the potential of AI-based takeoffs with Beam AI. Book a demo today and see how Beam AI can streamline your drywall takeoffs.